Calling the UPA a ?rogue? government, which will not allow the CBI to function independently, the BJP on Saturday demanded constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to look into alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks. The Janata Dal (United) termed the law minister?s action as contempt of court, saying the court must initiate action against him.
The Opposition was reacting to The Indian Express disclosure on Saturday that law minister Ashwani Kumar and the Prime Minister?s Office had vetted the CBI?s coal scam status report submitted in the apex court last month and the agency is inclined to inform the Supreme Court about it.
Meanwhile, under fire for the serious breach, Kumar on Saturday held a meeting with Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati at his Shastri Bhawan office to discuss the ramifications of the matter. There was no official communication about the hush-hush meeting. However, sources told The Indian Express that Kumar sought the AG?s advice on the issue.
?The reports are speculative. We are yet to file an affidavit before the Supreme Court,? CBI director Ranjit Sinha said, when asked about his reaction.
Earlier in the day, referring to the report, leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said it showed that the government would not allow the CBI to carry out its work with honesty.
?CBI?s image of an independent agency is now completely demolished and dismantled. Therefore, the system will have to seriously consider whether a SIT must take over the administration and investigation of the coal scam,? Jaitley said.
?The government owes an explanation. Persons named in the report should publicly speak whether this is true or otherwise. The original unaltered report of the CBI must be made public and placed before the SC,? he added.
Terming it as a ?very serious matter?, leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj tweeted, ?This is the evidence of the government?s pressure on CBI to save the Prime Minister.?
JD(U) spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari also termed the reports as ?very serious?, saying it was contempt of court.
?Supreme Court is asking CBI to submit its report and government is toning it down. This is for the first time to my knowledge that such a thing is happening,? Tiwari said.
The Congress, however, sought to dismiss the allegations of interference in CBI?s functioning.
?There is no question of law minister Ashwani Kumar resigning. The Supreme Court has already asked the CBI to file an affidavit in this regard. The truth will come out,? Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said, adding, ?Officers sometimes meet ministers, but it is not necessary that ministers put pressure on them.?